BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

05/06/2009

Lukashenko accuses Russia of blackmail

MINSK, Belarus (AP) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has accused Russia of trying to blackmail his country into recognizing the independence of Georgia's separatist provinces, comments reflecting the growing strain between the ex-Soviet neighbors.

Lukashenko said in remarks released by his office Friday that Moscow has made recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia a condition for Belarus to receive the last $500 million of a $2 billion loan.

Moscow recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations after the Russian-Georgian war in August, but only Nicaragua has followed its example. Russia hoped that Belarusian recognition would come quickly after, but the Belarusian parliament, which is filled with Lukashenko's loyalists, has not taken up the issue.

"They came and told us: you will get $500 million if there is a move on South Ossetia and Abkhazia,> Lukashenko said in an apparent reference to recent talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials. "But we don't want to engage in trade-offs and sell our stance.

Asked whether Putin linked the loan to Belarus' recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia during his trip last week, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov categorically rejected Lukashenko's claim.

"The issue of providing the loan never was linked and couldn't be linked to Belarus' recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations,> Peskov told The Associated Press.

During last week's talks, Russia and Belarus failed to agree on the Russian loan aimed to keep Belarus' struggling Soviet-style economy afloat. After the talks collapsed, Russian and Belarusian officials exchanged harsh mutual accusations indicating relations between the two increasingly estranged allies had plunged to a new low.

Adding to Moscow's dismay, Lukashenko has sought recently to improve ties with the United States and the European Union, releasing political prisoners and making other overtures. Russia has accused the West of trying to encroach on what it sees as its traditional sphere of influence.

Russia and Belarus have an accord envisaging close political, economic and military ties, and they declared a joint goal of building a single state. Moscow has been the main ally and sponsor of Lukashenko, who has been shunned by the West for his relentless crackdown on the opposition and free media.

But the Kremlin has been increasingly vexed by Lukashenko's stubborn resistance to Russian attempts to take control of key Belarusian industrial assets. Lukashenko, in turn, has criticized Russia for shutting its market to Belarusian goods and failing to reward Belarus for its role as Moscow's main military and political ally.

"Russia may lose Belarus, and Belarus may lose Russia,> he said in the remarks at a meeting with Russian newspaper editors.

Asked about the prospects of forming a single state, Lukashenko answered

"Do you want to create another Chechnya here? I don't.

Associated Press Writer Vladimir Isachenkov contributed to this report from Moscow.

Source:

http://www.pr-inside.com/lukashenko-accuses-russia-of-blackmail-r1302380.htm

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